www.NewEnglandLutiers.org

Vermont Instrument School of Lutherie

Vermont Instrument School of Lutherie

Begun in 1983 Vermont Instruments is a teaching lutherie offering small group tutorials in guitar-making, and repair. Students build their own instruments from raw materials. Acoustic and structural design, jig-making, finishing and set-up, are woven into a course of study that accommodates each person’s skill-level and experience. The Basics Course offers the novice the opportunity to learn the rudiments of the craft by building a guitar from scratch.

It is three weeks of intense work resulting in great-looking and powerful-sounding instruments. Enrollment is limited to 6 students per course. All students graduate with a finished guitar, and a construction manual with step-by-step photos for future use detailing the building process, including information on acoustic theory, structure and design. Our focus is teaching the skills and information essential for students to continue their own creative work.

Our interest is in training the next generation of luthiers. Put another way, we are not going to help you build a guitar, we are going to teach you how to teach yourself to build guitars. Our methods are low-tech and hands-on, relying only on basic hand and small-scale power-tools, and a few simple jigs. We want people to be able to start working on their next instruments as soon as possible, with minimal investment in tools and equipment. Many graduates have moved directly from this course to building at a high level in their own shops. We hope to continue this tradition and promote this wonderful craft into the future. On-site housing is included for all students.